Stolen Mail from La Cañada Homes Found in La Crescenta

July 19, 2007|By Mary O'Keefe

An alert Crescenta Valley Sheriff's deputy noticed a woman he didn't recognize in a local La Crescenta neighborhood. Their conversation led to a home with many pieces of stolen La Cañada mail and an identity theft operation.

While the deputy was driving past a home in the 3000 block of Encinal Avenue in La Crescenta, he noticed a woman coming out of the residence that he didn't recognize. According to the CV Sheriff's report, deputies know that particular home and resident.

The woman, later identified as Andrea Quinn, 32, from Los Angeles, said she was visiting the home and was friends with the resident. The deputy ran her name through the county computer system and found that she had two outstanding warrants.

Advertisement

"He asked her how she got in the house and she said through the back door," said Detective Frank Diana.

Diana said because of Quinn's warrant history, the deputy decided to make certain the home had not been robbed or vandalized. He requested back up and entered the home.

Once inside, the deputy found what suspected to be narcotic drugs as well as narcotic paraphernalia. On further investigation he discovered identity theft equipment and paperwork, and a stolen vehicle in the garage.

"We found a lot of mail, most of it from La Cañada," Diana said.

As the investigation continued, the resident of the home, Laura Anderberg, 42, and man, Hector Lang, 36, of Sunland returned. Lang appeared to be under the influence of a narcotic. He was cited and released with a promise to appear in court, for being under the influence. His next court date is Sept. 10.

Anderberg was arrested for suspicion of possession of narcotic and narcotic paraphernalia and in possession of stolen property. She has been released on $20,000 bail; her next court appearance is also Sept. 10.

Diana is now in the process of contacting all the victims of stolen mail he found at the house. There may be some people who are unaware they are victims, he said.

"If they don't know they had been victimized regarding mail theft we will contact them and have them fill out a report with a deputy," Diana said.